Year 12 student Sophie Allister of Woy Woy has been named a Australian National University Tuckwell Scholar.

Sophie was one of just 25 high school students from across the country to be issued with a Tuckwell scholarship enabling her to study at the university in Canberra next year.

Sophie will receive up to $25,000 per year for five years to put towards her education.

Sophie said: "I was recommended for the program through one of my teachers and it was a bit of a last minute decision for me."

The three-stage process required her to send off her academic record and recommendations, to write a second application and to sit a final interview.

In the process, she was given a tour of the university's facilities.

"After getting a chance to talk to students and staff and really see the campus and the facilities, I was converted," Sophie said.

The day after returning from her final interview, Sophie received a call offering her the scholarship.

"It was so surprising.

"I thought I'd really messed up the interview, so I was shocked to get the call," Sophie said.

Sophie is now preparing for her trial Higher School Certificate and deciding on what she'd like to study as an undergraduate.

"I'm interested in doing a commerce degree, but the university has so many options for double majors so I'm still making my decision," Sophie said.

As a Tuckwell Scholar, Sophie must start studying in 2020.

She said her first year's funding would be dedicated to her move to Canberra and study expenses.

"The scholarships are designed so that you don't have to work so you can get the most out of your university experience and I'm really looking forward to getting started," Sophie said.

SOURCE:

Media release, 23 Jul 2019

James Giggacher, ANU

Interview (Dilon Luke), 30 Jul 2019

Sophie Allister, Woy Woy

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